The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) said it is of paramount importance for public and private entities across the UAE to register their Emirati employees with GPSSA from their first month of employment. Monthly and timely contributions result in pension and retirement benefits, end-of-service gratuity and compensation in case of a work-related disability or death. Registration and contribution for UAE nationals working in government and private sectors is mandatory under the provisions of the Federal Law No. (7) of 1999 for pensions and social security and its amendments, which oblige employers to register Emirati employees immediately upon joining their entity according to the applicable conditions, with the exception to retired military employees working in the federal government after 15 November 1999, based on the Cabinet Resolution No. (21) of 1999. It is the responsibility of employed Emiratis to verify whether their entity has registered them with GPSSA. If not, the individual employee must contact GPSSA and make it clear that he/she is not registered; this reporting process protects both the employee and his/her family's rights. "Registering to the UAE's pension scheme protects the insured and his/her family from potential work risks, since the insured is entitled to a pension in the event of a work-related injury, which may result in the inability to work or at times death, even if the concerned individual has only contributed for one day, it all counts." Prior to registering and contributing with GPSSA, the insured individual must meet the requirements, namely: insured individuals must not be less than 18 nor over 60 years old; he/she must be medically fit to work upon employment based on a medical report submitted by an approved medical healthcare facility and most importantly the insured must be a UAE national. Mohamad Saif Al Hameli Director General of the General Pensions and Social Security Authority